Method for identifying the source of carbon in 1,3-propanediol

Abstract

A new polypropylene terephthalate composition is provided. The polypropylene terephthalate is comprised of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalate. The 1,3-propanediol is produced by the bioconversion of a fermentatble carbon source, preferable glucose. The resulting polypropylene terephthalate is distinguished from petrochemically produced polymer on the basis of dual carbon-isotopic fingerprinting which indicates both the source and the age of the carbon.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for identifying the presence of a biosourced 1,3-propanediol in a sample, the method comprising 
       (a) purifying 1,3-propanediol from the sample;  
       (b) determining the δ 13 C and f M    14 C characterizing the sample of step (a), wherein a δ 13 C of about −10.9 to about −15.4 and a f M    14 C of about 1.04 to about 1.18 indicates the presence of the bio-sourced 1,3-propanediol.